How can you build an On-demand Marketplace App in React Native?

 

On-demand marketplace applications have revolutionized various industries by providing a platform that instantly connects buyers and sellers, enabling quick transactions, and that too, with a few finger clicks. The concept of an on-demand marketplace app has gained momentum in recent years due to the convenience it offers. The whopping success of solutions like Task Rabbit, Merry Maids, Urban Company, Urban Stems, Timesaverz, Rinse, Uber, Airbnb, DoorDash, Instacart, TaskRabbit, and Postmates indicates the high market demand for the on-demand marketplace model.

Needless to say, the on-demand marketplace model has become a lucrative business idea for entrepreneurs to consider. This post guides you through the methodology of developing an on-demand marketplace app with React Native. We have picked React Native as it’s one of the most preferred cross-platform frameworks for mobile app development.

What is an On-demand Marketplace Model and how does it work?

On-demand Marketplace App

It is a mobile app that connects buyers and sellers or service providers, facilitating hassle-free transactions. App users can either avail of or provide various goods or services. It’s a platform where users can access a wide range of offerings, typically in real-time, and request immediate services or delivery.

Such applications come with a diverse range of products or services from multiple vendors or service providers, giving users a wide selection to choose from. Users also get up-to-date information on product or service availability and can view the current inventory, service availability, or the estimated time of delivery. This ensures transparency and helps customers make informed decisions.

The Functioning of an On-demand Marketplace App

On-demand marketplace app offers to users, different product or service categories such as food delivery, home services, transportation, beauty and wellness, pet care, and more. They can view the available options, compare prices, read reviews or ratings, and select the desired item or service.

Once a user makes a selection, the app facilitates the transaction and coordinates the delivery or service provision. Payment is usually done through the app itself, making the process more convenient and secure. On the seller's side, they can manage their offerings, accept or decline requests, and fulfill orders through the app.

On-demand Marketplace App Development: Key Features

When developing an on-demand marketplace app, it's important to consider the key features that will enhance the user experience and provide value to both service providers and customers.

Basic Features

User Registration and Profiles: Users should be able to create accounts and set up profiles with relevant information such as contact details, payment preferences, and service preferences.

Advanced Search and Filters: Offer robust search functionality with advanced filters to allow users to find specific products, services, or providers based on parameters such as location, price range, ratings, availability, and more. Advanced search and filters enhance the UX and help users discover relevant options quickly.

Service Listings: Enable service providers to create detailed listings for their services, including descriptions, prices, availability, photos, and any additional relevant information required.

Booking and Scheduling: Provide a seamless booking process that allows users to schedule services at their preferred date and time. Send reminders and notifications to both service providers and customers.

Reviews and Ratings: Include a rating and review system that allows users to provide feedback and rate their experience with sellers or service providers available on the platform. This feature helps build trust and credibility within the marketplace and assists other users in making informed decisions.

In-App Messaging: Facilitate communication between service providers and customers through an in-app messaging system. Real-time messaging allows users to discuss product details, negotiate prices, and clarify any doubts or concerns directly within the app before they proceed to book the product or service.

Payment Gateway Integration: Integrate a secure and reliable payment gateway to enable seamless transactions between service providers and customers. Support multiple payment methods and ensure that users’ financial information is protected.

Real-Time Tracking: Implement real-time tracking system for services that require physical presence, such as deliveries or home services. This way, users can track the progress of their orders or services in real-time and also the location of the service provider.

Push Notifications: Send push notifications to users for various events, such as booking confirmations, reminders, order status updates, and special offers, discounts, or promotions. This keeps users engaged and informed about important events and encourages them to use the app more frequently.

Customer Support: Offer a dedicated customer support system through various channels like chat, email, or phone. The system should allow users to seek assistance, report issues, and receive prompt responses to their queries or concerns.

Geolocation: Utilize GPS technology for identifying users’ locations and provide relevant services or product recommendations. You can utilize Geolocation to display service providers or sellers within users’ close vicinity, estimate delivery times, and optimize route planning.

Analytics and Insights: Implement analytics tools that will gather data on user behavior, transaction patterns, popular categories, and other relevant metrics. This data will help service providers obtain insights regarding their performance, customer feedback, booking history, and other relevant data to help them improve their services. Based on these insights app administrators can make informed decisions, optimize the platform, and provide a better UX to end customers.

Social Media Integration: Enable users to connect their social media accounts for sharing their experiences, recommending services, and engaging with the platform's community.

Remember, these features serve as a starting point. You may need to tailor them as per the nature of your on-demand marketplace or add additional functionalities to meet specific requirements.

Advanced Features

To enhance user experience, here are some examples of advanced features that you can include in your on-demand marketplace platform.

Detailed User Profiles: Enable users to create detailed profiles with additional information such as location, preferences, ratings, reviews, and past transaction history. This helps build a layer of trust between buyers and sellers and makes way for personalized recommendations.

Contact Number Masking

This feature allows a user to make in-app calls without their phone number being disclosed. This approach aims to protect the privacy of users while facilitating communication between buyers and sellers. It works by providing an intermediary phone number that acts as a bridge between both parties.

Voice Commands and Chatbots

Voice commands and chatbots can greatly enhance the user experience in an on-demand marketplace platform by providing quick and convenient ways for users to interact with the platform. For instance, voice commands enable users to navigate through the platform using speech commands without the need for typing the command. Chatbots help users easily get information on any topic.

Multi-language and Multi-currency Support: The support for multiple languages and currencies will allow you to cater to a diverse user base and enhance your online visibility. This feature enables users from different regions to use the app comfortably and conduct transactions in their preferred language and currency.

Remember that the specific features required for an on-demand marketplace app may differ based on the target audience, industry, and unique requirements of the platform. As such, you must conduct thorough research and user testing to determine the most valuable and relevant features to include.

How to build a React Native Marketplace App?

Building an on-demand marketplace app using React Native involves several steps. Here are the key steps of the process:

Defining the Scope

Determine the specific features and functionality you want to include in your React Native marketplace app. Consider aspects like user registration, profiles, listings, search, bookings, payments, reviews, and notifications.

Setting up the Developer Environment

Here are the steps to follow for setting up the development environment for developing an on-demand marketplace app using React Native:

Step#1: Install Node.js and npm

Node.js is essential for React Native development. Install node.js from their official website and download the most recent Long-Term-Support (LTS) version that suits your OS. This installation process also includes Node Package Manager commonly called npm. You’ll need npm for managing dependencies.

Step#2: Install the React Native CLI

For installing React Native CLI (Command Line Interface), run this command in your command prop or terminal-

npm install -g react-native-cli

Step#3: Test Environment Set Up

For creating the test environment, you need to set up an emulator or connect a physical device. If you’re using a physical device, connect the device to your computer with a USB cable and ensure that USB debugging is enabled. If you prefer an emulator, you can use Android Studio (for Android development) or Xcode (for iOS development) for configuring it.

Step#4: Create a New React Native Project

In your terminal or command prompt, navigate to the directory where you wish to create your project. With this command, create a new React Native project:

npx react-native init MyMarketplaceApp

This will create a new directory named “MyMarketplaceApp” and set up the basic structure of a React Native project.

Step#5: Install Extra Dependencies

Run this command inside your project directory for installing the necessary dependencies.

cd MyMarketplaceApp

npm install react-navigation react-native-gesture-handler react-native-reanimated react-native-screens

These packages are commonly used for navigation and animations in React Native apps.

Step#6: Link Native Dependencies

Certain packages that you’ve installed in the previous step may require extra native code linking. To link these dependencies, run the command: npx react-native link

Step#7: Start the Development Server

Run this command for starting the metro bundler that will bundle the JavaScript code of your app.

npx react-native start

Keep the window of this terminal open as the development server needs to be running while you’re working on the app.

Step#8: Run the app on your Device or Emulator

Open another terminal or command prompt window, navigate to your project directory, and run one of the following commands based on your target platform:

For Android:

npx react-native run-android

For iOS:

npx react-native run-ios

This command will build your app and deploy it to the connected emulator or physical device.

Step#9: Code and iterate

With the development server running and the app deployed, you can start coding your marketplace app. Open your project directory in a code editor of your choice and modify the necessary files (usually in the “./src” directory) to implement the desired functionality.

Step#10: Reload the App

As you make changes to your code, you can reload the app for viewing the updates. In the emulator, you can press “R” or “RR” on your keyboard, or use the "Reload" option in the developer menu. On a physical device, you can shake the device to access the developer menu and choose the "Reload" option.

The aforesaid steps should help you set up a basic development environment for building an on-demand marketplace app with React Native.

Designing the App

Decide on the features and functionalities you plan to include in your app. Create wireframes or mockups to visualize the application's screens and user flows. Decide on the overall architecture and components required for your React Native marketplace app.

Configuring the Backend

Choose a backend technology stack best suited to your requirements (e.g., Node.js with Express, Firebase, etc.). Implement user authentication and authorization. Design the database schema to store user profiles, listings, transactions, etc., and configure APIs for handling data retrieval and manipulation.

Implementing UI Components

Create the necessary screens and components for your app's UI. Consider using popular UI libraries like React Navigation for navigation between screens and UI frameworks like NativeBase or React Native Elements for pre-built UI components. Make sure you create a consistent UI across the app. Implement reusable UI components like forms, buttons, cards, etc. Use styling techniques (CSS-in-JS, inline styles, or stylesheets) for customizing the app's appearance.

Implementing Features

Set up user registration and login functionality. You can use Firebase Authentication or a similar service for this purpose. This step involves creating the necessary screens, forms, and backend logic to handle user authentication. Thereafter, create screens that users can use for browsing and searching for listings. Implement filters and sorting options. Design the UI to display listings effectively and include relevant information.

Implement the ability for users to book services or products. For this, you need to build screens for booking details, date/time selection, and payment integration. It’s advisable to use a payment gateway like Stripe or PayPal for securely handling transactions.

Design screens where users can submit reviews and display them on the relevant listings. For implementing push notifications, you can use a service like Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM).

Testing and Debugging

Thoroughly test your React Native on-demand marketplace app for bugs and usability issues. For example, perform unit tests and integration tests to check whether the individual features and components are functioning as expected. Employ debugging tools like the React Native debugger for identifying issues and fixing them. Also, carry out manual testing on various devices and screen sizes to ensure responsiveness.

Deployment

Prepare your app for deployment to app stores. Generate release builds for Android or/and iOS. Follow the documentation provided by Apple for the App Store and Google for the Play Store for generating the necessary app certificates, bundle identifiers, and store listings. Then, publish your app to the respective app stores.

Monetizing Strategies for the On-demand Marketplace Model

Take a look at some of the standard monetizing models the app owner can employ to generate revenue from an on-demand marketplace solution. 

Commission Charges

One of the primary revenue streams for on-demand marketplace apps is charging a commission fee for each transaction executed through the platform. For example, a food delivery app may charge a percentage of the order value from restaurants or delivery partners.

Service Fees

You can charge service fees to customers for using your marketplace platform. For instance, a ride-hailing app may charge customers a service fee for each completed ride.

Subscription Plans

Some platforms offer subscription plans to customers, providing additional benefits or perks in exchange for a recurring fee. These plans often include benefits like discounted prices, free deliveries, or priority access to services.

Advertisements and Promotions

Partnering with businesses and allowing them to advertise or promote their products and services on the platform is another revenue generation stream. This can involve displaying sponsored listings, targeted advertisements, or featuring certain businesses prominently.

Premium Listings or Featured Placements

The app can offer premium listings or featured placements to businesses that are willing to pay an additional fee. This allows them to stand out from competitors and gain more visibility on the platform, potentially leading to increased customer engagement and sales.

It's important to note that not all on-demand marketplace apps use the same revenue models. Some platforms may implement a combination of these strategies. Pick the revenue streams based on the nature of the app, its target audience, and the industry it operates in.

In Conclusion

Marketplace apps are highly beneficial for service providers as well as service seekers. As an entrepreneur, all you need to do is build a platform that will connect users belonging to these two categories.

However, the process of developing a fully functional on-demand marketplace app with React Native is a complex task. Your app should have a smooth and intuitive user experience with easy navigation, quick search options, and user-friendly interfaces. It should be designed to make it effortless for users to find what they need and complete transactions efficiently.

Achieving the best results requires a strong understanding of React Native, backend development, and integration with various third-party services. Moreover, it's recommended to break down the development process into smaller tasks and tackle them one at a time. Additionally, you may need to seek further resources, tutorials, or documentation for specific aspects of your app's functionality. Here, you may consider hiring professional help, preferably from an experienced React Native app development company, to ensure productive outcomes.

How is Blockchain Reshaping the Grocery Industry?

Blockchain technology is a valuable tool that has the potential to enhance future policies, traceability, and the efficiency of grocery supply chains. Blockchain grocery initiatives have the potential to improve consumer trust, accelerate production processes, and enhance overall product efficiency, addressing current needs and challenges in the industry.

Blockchain has the capacity to bring about significant improvements in global grocery supply chains. It enables faster and more cost-effective product deliveries, enhances supply chain transparency and traceability, and facilitates real-time coordination between trading partners; thereby upgrading the efficiency of the entire system. So, what is Blockchain technology? Let’s take a look!

What is Blockchain Technology?

The term blockchain has become a popular topic of discussion lately. But what exactly is Blockchain? It refers to a decentralized network that securely records, stores, and encrypts data blocks. These blocks are interconnected in the form of a chain using a cryptographic technique, a branch of mathematics known as cryptography. This cryptographic mechanism serves to safeguard transaction details, preserve user privacy, and encrypt communication between parties. Together, they create a chronological digital ledger where every transaction possesses a cryptographic signature called a hash. Transactions are grouped into blocks where every block carries a timestamp and a link to its previous block. 

The verification of data blocks in a Blockchain is carried out by a network of devices and computers known as “nodes,” each possessing a copy of the same data. Typically, Blockchain infrastructures consist of thousands of nodes. By utilizing nodes, Blockchain technology achieves decentralization, eliminating the need for a centralized server within the network. 

To put it simply, Blockchain is a digital system designed to record trade transactions among multiple trading parties in an immutable manner, ensuring the integrity and security of the information exchanged. As a result, identical data copies are stored across various nodes, granting all participants the ability to access them.

While the term “blockchain” is frequently linked to cryptocurrency, its potential applications extend far beyond that, encompassing a diverse range of possibilities. Indeed, Blockchain grocery endeavors have the potential to revolutionize the grocery industry by offering a secure and efficient method of tracking food items throughout the entire supply chain, from farm to table. Implementing blockchain technology in the grocery sector represents a monumental shift in transforming the conventional industry into a modernized one.

As researched by Demandsage.com, by 2029, the Blockchain industry is projected to reach a value of $163.83 billion, fueled by a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 56.3%. Research and advisory company Gartner has revealed new data indicating that by 2025, approximately 20 percent of the world’s largest supermarkets will adopt blockchain technology to enhance visibility into the production, quality, and freshness of their products.

Advantages of Blockchain in the Grocery Sector

Blockchain technology offers numerous advantages that can revolutionize the grocery industry. By harnessing the power of blockchain app development services, businesses in the grocery sector are reaping the benefits. These benefits lead to increased efficiency, trust, and customer satisfaction while addressing critical issues such as food safety, fraud prevention, and environmental impact. Let’s explore the specific advantages of Blockchain in the grocery industry.

1. Traceability and Transparency

One of the biggest benefits of blockchain for the grocery industry is its ability to provide traceability and transparency. Blockchain supermarket provides consumers with a means to access comprehensive product information, including details about the origins of the items and the methods used for their cultivation and harvest. The collected data is stored in a secure and unchangeable blockchain.

The implementation of blockchain-based supply chain ledgers enables the identification of food lots that are subject to product recalls. This, in turn, streamlines the process of swiftly removing unsafe food from store shelves, ensuring consumer safety. Equipped with such knowledge, consumers can make well-informed choices when purchasing food and safeguard themselves against the potential risks of consuming harmful products.

The adoption of blockchain in grocery stores, empowers comprehensive traceability throughout the entire grocery supply chain, instilling consumer confidence and trust in grocery brands. Leveraging Blockchain-enabled traceability in the grocery industry, businesses can simplify the task of offering consumers clear visibility into the origins and production methods of their food items and grocery products. So, leading brands are seeking assistance from professional developers to create blockchain-based grocery tracing systems to enhance their reputation and stand out in a competitive market. 

For instance, Nestle and Carrefour have collaborated with IBM to establish their dedicated blockchain system, which focuses on new food products. Take the example of Nestle’s popular French dish mashed potatoes. The 520g packages of this dish have a barcode that can be scanned by consumers to obtain information like the region where the potatoes were grown, the quality control approaches adopted in Nestle’s factory while producing the dish, and the product storage locations and dates before reaching the grocer. As techtarget.com reports, Unilever has implemented SAP’s GreenToken to make their palm oil supply chain traceable and transparent. This strategy promotes improving the sustainability of the palm oil manufacturing process.
 
Such endeavors aim at improving supply chain transparency and demonstrate a food manufacturing company’s commitment to enhancing visibility and accountability throughout its operations.

2. Food Safety

In recent years, there have been several high-profile foodborne illness outbreaks that have caused serious illness and even death. As per the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA),  approximately one in six Americans will experience a foodborne illness annually, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 fatalities.

Food safety and quality are paramount concerns in the grocery industry. Therefore, by implementing blockchain technology in the food industry, stores can record and track critical information such as batch numbers, expiration dates, and temperature records on the blockchain. Potential issues can be quickly identified and resolved, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses and increasing consumer confidence.

 Blockchain technology plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and authenticity of food products. Blockchain supermarkets can enhance food safety by providing transparent and unchangeable transaction records, bringing stakeholders together. Blockchain in the food industry boosts customer trust, and loyalty, and allows easy tracing of food origins improving overall quality and reliability in the industry.

Blockchain supermarket facilitates transparency across the entire food supply chain, enabling real-time information sharing and enhancing supply chain management. Additionally, it generates digital documentation of every food transaction, simplifying the ability to trace the source of wrongdoing and the resulting repercussions. This becomes crucial in an era where food safety is progressively gaining paramount importance.

Presently, major companies such as Unilever, Nestle, and Walmart employ blockchain technology to expedite the detection and elimination of the root causes of foodborne illnesses.

3. Secure Payment Processing

Grocery apps using Blockchain are reshaping payment systems within the grocery industry. Supply chains encompass numerous suppliers, intermediaries, and third-party services, posing difficulties in effectively overseeing the flow of goods, pricing, and supplier payments. Conventional invoice payment terms typically require weeks or even months. However, by employing blockchain-based smart contracts, immediate payments can be facilitated instead. Smart contracts are programmable self-executing contracts on Blockchain. Such contracts can automate payment transfers taking place between suppliers, retailers, and logistics providers based on pre-defined conditions like delivery confirmation. This way, the payment process is executed quickly and securely without the need for involving any intermediaries.

Blockchain technology’s decentralized nature offers a transparent payment system, allowing all participants in a supply chain to view payment transactions. This reduces the likelihood of fraudulent practices and human errors. Moreover, blockchain-based cryptocurrencies enable direct payments between supply chain stakeholders, eliminating the need for banks, minimizing transaction fees, and accelerating the payment process. Furthermore, the utilization of Blockchain in the grocery sector can mitigate the risk of fraud and chargebacks, as every transaction is securely recorded on the Blockchain.

4. Better Communication & Collaboration

Blockchain technology has revolutionized communication and collaboration in the grocery industry, providing a more efficient and transparent system for all stakeholders involved. The constant exchange of invoices, order requests, and contracts among different participants in a modern supply chain creates frequent friction and causes unnecessary delays.

However, supply chains that adopt blockchain technology can enhance communication and collaboration among all participants. According to a report by DHL, blockchain enables the sharing of databases among multiple parties, eliminating the necessity for intermediaries to verify, record, or coordinate these transactions. The report states that blockchain facilitates the transition from a centralized to a decentralized distributed system, liberating data that was previously confined in isolated silos.

Blockchain enables seamless real-time sharing of information and data among producers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers, leading to improved coordination and decision-making. By utilizing smart contracts and decentralized ledgers, blockchain eliminates communication gaps, minimizes errors, and builds trust among participants. Its secure and transparent nature facilitates accurate tracking of inventory product quality, delivery schedules, and payments.

5. Increased Efficiency Rate

Blockchain technology has the capability to automatically track the journey of products across the supply chain right from the farm to the shelf. Blockchain records every step including sourcing, processing, packaging, and transportation. Hence, in case of any instance of contamination or a situation when the product has to be recalled, one can effortlessly identify the affected product/s and remove them from the supply chain. This not only reduces the impact on consumer health but also minimizes financial losses for retailers.

Blockchain automation minimizes the risk of human error in the supply chain by streamlining and digitizing data logging. With data stored on the cloud, administrative tasks are reduced, ensuring consistent and accessible data tracking. Instead of having to rely on partner communication, blockchain provides instant access to all product-related information in a distributed database, simplifying communication and operations.

By leveraging blockchain technology, the grocery industry can optimize supply chain processes, automate tasks, and improve data accuracy and transparency. These efficiencies lead to cost reductions, time savings, and streamlined operations, ultimately benefiting both businesses and consumers.

Furthermore, by utilizing blockchain technology in food supply chains, it becomes possible to tackle the issues surrounding food wastage and streamline inventory management, which will ultimately result in better efficiency.

7. Greater Customer Satisfaction

In the current fragmented grocery supply chain, it is often challenging to determine the complete history of a product. Consequently, customers often question the reliability of the information displayed on the packaging. Nevertheless, blockchain in the grocery industry empowers businesses to provide customers with accurate details about the time, location, and method of food processing.

It also enables consumers to trace the product’s origin and track its journey, accessing specific information related to each batch. This enhanced transparency has the potential to foster greater trust among customers and cultivate stronger brand loyalty.

Overall, blockchain enhances transparency, traceability, authenticity, customer service, and loyalty programs, contributing to a high level of satisfaction and trust among grocery sector customers.

In a Nutshell:

In conclusion, blockchain technology brings significant revolutionary benefits to the grocery industry. By harnessing the power of blockchain, businesses in the grocery sector are reaping the benefits of enhanced transparency, improved traceability, efficient inventory management, secure payment processing, and innovative customer engagement. These benefits lead to increased operational efficiency, trust, and customer satisfaction while addressing critical issues such as food safety, fraud prevention, and environmental impact.

The responsibility of providing indisputable evidence regarding the safety of grocery products for consumption is progressively falling on manufacturers and suppliers in many countries around the world.  And, Blockchain serves this purpose. It is undeniably a reliable and trusted solution for the grocery industry, mitigating risks, improving data integrity, and fostering trust among stakeholders.
Blockchain apps and solutions will help the grocery industry providers optimize operations, provide greater transparency, and deliver a safer and more reliable shopping experience for everyone involved. So, in a nutshell, it is safe to say that blockchain grocery is the future.